Avoiding Satan’s Snares

1 Pet 5:8

Several times Jesus warned Peter that Satan was after him, but he failed to heed the warning. Too many Christians have “gone to sleep,” opening the way for Satan to work.

I. Don’t Stray  “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.” Ps. 119:67
A. Christians sometime neglect their prayer life, and they fail to study God’s Word as they should.
B. Some lack the courage to say no to non-Christian friends.

C. We must guard our devotional life diligently, drawing near to God daily. Jam 4:7,8 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”

II. Don’t Strut   “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Pro 16:18
A. Some Christian lack humility. They desire the praise of people, rather than the approval of God. “For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” Joh 12:43
B. Jesus, our example was humble.
C. We must be humble too. We avoid Satan’s snares by doing those things that are pleasing to God. Jam 4:10 “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”

III. Don’t Stoop   “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Rom. 12:21
A. The morals of our world are at an all-time low.
B. Millions have relaxed their morals standards because they are spiritually weak.

C. Christians must not condone evil, “but overcome evil with good.” Assisting the less fortunate and sharing Christ with the lost will help us avoid Satan’s snares.

IV. Don’t Stop   “Therefore my beloved brethern be ye stedfast unmoveable always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” 1 Cor 15:58
A. Some have made a good start but have come to a bad stop in the Christian life.
B. No problem is too difficult, no trial is too severe, no burden is too heavy for the Christian, because God’s help and grace are sufficient.
C. God is more than a match for Satan, and we are more than conquerors through Him. Rom. 8:37-39 “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”

5 Steps to Avoid Temptation

1.      Recognize your tendency toward sin.  Jam 1:14.

2.      Run away from the temptation.  1 Cor 10:13.

3.      Resist with the Word of God.  Heb 4:12; 2 Cor 10:4-5

4.      Refocus with praise.  Psa 147

5.      Repent quickly when you fail.  1 Cor 10:14; 1 Tim 6:11; Jam 1:15